FINAL THOUGHT: A modern muscle-sedan that provides tire shredding performance in a package that’s all-day comfy and wonderfully styled.

Hurdling down Interstate 680 in Northern, CA in the new 2013 Chrysler 300 SRT8 is an exercise in restraint. On the one hand you’ve got this big American luxo-sled that’s reminiscent of the big Chrysler’s of yesteryear. And on the other you’ve got a player that has the ability to put some serious hurt on the best that Europe and Asia has to offer, something that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

The 300 SRT8 is about as bold and brash as the American automobile gets. It sports high style and aggressive looks, and with a naturally aspirated power-plant that has the ability to turn the back tires into liquified goop, it’s definitely a forced to be reckoned with. This is an old-school muscle sedan that’s made for driving hard and fast. It’s the crown jewel of Chrysler’s fleet and it isn’t a car that’s going to be on everyone’s playlist. Enthusiasts will make comparisons between the SRT8, BMW’s M5 and Mercedes AMG cars. But understand that this car appeals to your emotions, American’s especially, on a completely different level.

Where the M5 and AMG’s are technological marvels that sport terabytes of tech, the SRT8 is a pad and pencil. It’s a blunt force object in a sea of razor sharp precision, and this ladies and gentlemen is precisely why I love it.

Okay, down to business. Under the hood lies SRT’s 6.4-liter 392 cu.in. HEMI V8 that produces 470 hp and 470 lb.ft. of torque. It’s big mill has the ability to get this 4,365 lbs sedan to 60 mph in 4.5-seconds, blitz the quarter mile in 13-seconds and onto a top speed that lies in the mid-170’s. Some people out there are going to bitch about the aging 5-speed transmission, and rest assured that a new 8-speed auto is on the way, until then though, the 5-speed unit, while not new and fancy, still does a great job of slamming all that power down to the pavement.

From a ride quality perspective the 300 SRT8 comes with a new 3-mode suspension. Auto, Sport, and Track are your choices and all exhibit subtle changes. In my opinion, Auto mode was simply too soft, and Track was too harsh. This is after all a big sedan, not a Miata. Therefore go with Sport as it will provide the best combination of performance and comfort for daily use.

Handling wise the big Chrysler has the ability to hold its own with pretty much everything out there that’s in the same class. Remember people, you’re not race drivers (and if you are sorry), so understand that whether a comparison test shows this car leading or trailing in one area or another as compared to the competition, the odds of you being able to tell the difference are nill. Also, this is not a track car. Yes, you can venture there every now and again, but if tracking a car is your passion, then buy something else as this is not your baby.

One area that Chrysler has really stepped up its game is the interior. A nicely sculpted dash with monster size touch screen greet you, while fresh analog gauges tell you everything you need to know.

Yes, there is a function that will tell you G-forces, acceleration and breaking times, but I found this to be a bit gimmicky. Will you use it once or twice? Probably, otherwise I really didn’t see it’s appeal.

It must be said though that the Garmin based navigation system, climate and audio controls are intuitive and very easy to use compared to other cars in this class. Then there are the SRT8 seats which provide the best combination of sport-support and all-day comfort that I’ve seen on a sub-60k sedan.

Braking wise we’re looking at 14.2-inch rotors up front and 13.8-inch out back. Combine that with 4-piston Brembo calipers and integrated brake cooling ducts, and you’ve got a car that will haul you down to a stop in no-time flat.

The 2013 Chrysler SRT8 is a great car. It’s a car that will make you grin whenever you mash the gas, giggle when you throw it into a corner, and relax on those long road trips. I’ve owned a BMW M5, driven all manner of AMG car and even owned an older SRT8, all of which have been great cars. However this car appeals to the American in me, the hot-rodder and the muscle car enthusiast, and while it’s not perfect, it does hit all the right buttons for a price that is completely reasonable.

13 Responses

300C SRT8, the enhanced engine makes 425 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque from a bored-out, high-compression-ratio 6.1-liter version of the corporate 5.7-liter Hemi V-8..so mr angry..did you really do a review or did you just guess and copy and past once again?..because the review you have here the horse power and tork are way higher than the Chrysler web site

Everywhere I’ve seen so far has said 470/470… not sure where you’re finding 425/420. A little rude to call it a copy and paste job considering you clearly haven’t done any research on the actual numbers.

Ah, yes, you did say that but as I said, everywhere I’ve looked has showed 470/470 (Including the Chrysler website). Unless you have a cached version from 2007 that you keep viewing (try clearing your cookies and browsing history), I’d suggest you abandon this hopeless attempt at trolling.

– First off, I’ve forgotten more about cars than you’ll ever know.
– Second, your comments are often juvenile, negative and come with an arrogance that I sincerely doubt you can back up. In short if you don’t want to read RL.com, don’t – trust us, you won’t be missed.
– Third, you spelled “tork” wrong… look it up next time.

i highly doubt you ever worked on or even seen the inside of a engine bay man..serious you are a poor excuse of a person..lol..ok wanna see how much you forgot compared to what I my self know…come to Cleveland OH to my speed shop and we will see what you know compared to what you copy and past..my comments are always aimed towards you..why?..because you copy and past everything you have on this site..not one dame thing have you done is a original..either its from YOUTUBE or its from car and driver..MY 5 year old son can do that shit..like i said..invtation is open..come show me what you know

Yes mr angry a speed shop..my legacy..whats your legacy..the mouse that you used to copy and past everything?..nice legacy..anyway..sooo you forgot more about cars than i would ever know?..ok mr car guru what is a p.i.d..in your words not from the internet cant copy and past it..tell me what a p.i.d is?

Not to speak for Mr Angry here, but considering this is an automotive enthusiast site… the majority of it HAS to be information already available. It’s not like he’s building cars and selling them, he’s simply reviewing vehicles and/or posting things that may stirke the automotive enthusiast as interesting. I’m not sure you understand the concept of an enthusiast website. I think you should go back and revisit your original post and think long and hard as to why you’re getting hounded by people on this site. You were wrong, plain and simple, lets just move on.

Orion – Your ignorance is killing me and making you look like an ass. The review was written by me for public consumption. This is an automotive enthusiast site, which means we publish things that are both entertaining and informative. If you don’t like it, don’t come back. We get new cars delivered from manufacturers on a weekly basis to review. Do you?

And as far as your legacy – a speed shop? Really? Again, I ask you – WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? Show us something, because right now all I’m hearing is an inexperienced internet troll that has nothing to offer except juvenile comments.

BTW – what’s your shops name and URL, as I’m sure we’d all like to view your work and see what your “Legacy” really is.

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